“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40, 41
Don’t take for granted that you know what sleep means. Though it does mean ‘a natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body, in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost, so that there is a decrease in bodily movement and responsiveness to external stimuli.’ There’s also a more subtle and dangerous type of sleep. In Matthew 26, you find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, moments before He’s about to be crucified. This would be considered His greatest time of need and as such, He tells three of his disciples to ‘watch’ while He goes to pray. Watch is an interesting word as it means ‘to be vigilant, give strict attention to, and to stay awake.’ Unfortunately, the disciples fail to do so. But you have to wonder, why was Jesus so upset? What’s wrong with a little sleep?
What’s Wrong With A Little Sleep?
Jesus was upset because He knew what lie ahead. Though He was about to go to the cross, He was also aware that Peter was about to face the greatest challenge of his life. In fact, He tried to warn him moments before that Satan was about to ‘…sift [him] as wheat.’ (Lk 22:31) Therefore, when He told him to ‘watch and pray’, it was because He knew Peter was about to face his greatest temptation. And the purpose of watching and praying was so that Peter would be prepared to boldly declare his stance to the servant girl and others that would later question his affiliation to the Lord. During the time he should have been vigilant and giving his strict attention to prayer, he was asleep. His desire to rest and do something other than what the Lord commanded, later led him to blatantly deny his affiliation which then resulted with him having a nervous breakdown. Now you can understand how sleep can sometimes be fatal. So, what does this have to do with you?
Wake Up and Pray!
Perhaps you’re asleep. Maybe there’s something headed your way that if you continue to choose to sleep on, could lead to your demise. Maybe there's someone in route that may present your greatest temptation. Whatever the case, it would behoove you to spend a little more time in prayer. There’s a colloquialism that we often use and its ‘Stay Woke!’ You better! Because something or someone is coming soon that you might not be prepared for.
Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, please forgive me as I know I haven’t been praying as I should. I’ve been asleep and focused on other things. Lord, please stir me to pray; even if I have to miss some sleep to do it. In Jesus’ name.
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